Walks and hikes on Table Mountain and Cape Point

Times shown in the brackets () is the total time, including transfers

Start time for walks: October to May 6.00am / June to September 7.00am

Lions Head: 3 hours (3 1/2 hours) - Rise with the Lion

Tackle this exciting and spectacular route to experience the panoramic view of the sunrise over the city of Cape Town. Admire the Atlantic seaboard and watch majestic Table Mountain come to light while seeing the sun appear from above the Hottentots Holland Mountains. Some scrambling along a couple of ladders to be scaled and some exposure to height, but worth it all when you reach the summit.

Platteklip Gorge (Front Table): 3 hours (4 hours)

Hike the route of the original explorers to
the top of the Front Table.

The trail offers spectacular views all the
way to the top with Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head
flanking the mountain on either side. Take time to marvel at the views
over Table Bay, Robben Island, Signal Hill and the City of Cape Town
while also admiring the fynbos (the indigenous vegetation) and the
awesome rock face of the gorge. At the top of the gorge a short 10
minute walk takes one to the cableway where plenty of time is allowed
to take in the unrivalled panorama in all directions – look
down on the beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay and south over the Cape
Peninsula and the majestic Twelve Apostles.

There are normally a few
friendly dassies (rock hyrax) to photograph before we take a ride down
in the revolving cable car back to our start point. Allow 3- 4 hours
for this route.

This point to point walk
across Table Mountain starts from Kirstenbosch Gardens.

An easy stroll through the
gardens takes us to the steeper ascent of the gorge. Once in the gorge
we are surrounded by magnificent indigenous forest which provides us
with welcome shade. We walk close to the stream to the half way point
where there are a couple of ladders to tackle and a rockfall to
scramble over. Nearing the top the trees thin out allowing us views
over False Bay and the Constantia Valley all the way to the Hottentot
Holland Mountains. Breakfast rock signals the top of the gorge and from
here we hike along the eastern flank of the mountain to
Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point. Here there are
spectacular views over the whole of the Table Mountain chain all the
way to Cape Point.

See typical mountain fynbos, some interesting rock
formations and maybe a sunbird or even a sugarbird. At the beacon,
Table Bay, Robben Island and Devil’s Peak take us by surprise
as we realise we have crossed the mountain. Here we take a well earned
break before walking across the Central Table with the City of Town,
Lion’s Head and Signal Hill soon coming into view . An hour
from the beacon we arrive at the cableway station with still plenty of time
to visit the various viewing platforms and look for a dassie. Then we
make our way down in the revolving car to Tafelberg Rd.

This scenic route starts from Camps Bay and ascends on the western or Twelve Apostles side of Table Mountain.

Admire the majestic 'Apostles' before starting the more serious hike up the gorge. Stop to take in the panorama of the Atlantic Ocean, palm lined beach of Camps Bay, Lion's Head and Robben Island.

On reaching the top discover the old cableway and railway and pose if you dare for a dramatic photo shot.

We now make our way to the Front Table - still a way up passing through the Valley of the Red Gods and Valley of Isolation. Take time to admire the intricate rock formations, pristine fynbos and breathtaking views. Arriving opposite Fountain Peak between the Central and Western Tables we are now at the top and have earned well deserved break before catching the cableway down.

Circular walk to Maclear's Beacon: 2 - 3 hours (4 hours)

For those not wanting to exert themselves this is a good option to explore the quieter parts of Table Mountain without the effort.
Ascend by cableway and hike to Maclears Beacon, the highest point, with its incredible panoramic views.. Admire the unusual landscape and look down on the lower Back Table with its 5 reservoirs stretching all the way to Cape Point.

The return route is closer to the edge with views over the city, Robben Island and Table Bay. Marvel at the intricate rock formations and with luck see a Rock Kestrel hovering overhead. Spend some time at the various viewpoints before descending by cableway.

This route may be extended to Echo Valley with some descent and ascent - additional time 1 hour.

Exploring the Back and Front Tables and three hidden valleys, this full day hike allows you to appreciate the true beauty of Table Mountain.

Ascend Kasteelspoort from the Twelve Apostles side of Table Mountain and pause to admire the Atlantic coastline, Lion's Head and Camps Bay. Once at the top of the gorge hike through the three valleys with their lichen covered rocks and formations en route to Maclear's Beacon, the highest point. Now on the flat plateau easy walking takes us to our lunch spot on the edge overlooking the panorama of the city, Table Bay and the western coastline.

After lunch stroll across the Central Table and marvel at the flat landscape, intricate rock formations and look out for lizards sunning themselves. Cross to the Western Table and spend time at the various viewpoints before descending by cableway.

Other walks
available

Cape Point Nature Reserve: full day (8 hours)

Get off the beaten track and explore on foot this magnificent nature reserve situated at the tip of the Cape Peninsula.

Avoid the bus tours and crowds and arrive early to experience the isolation and exquisite coastline. Visit the lighthouses and walk to the Cape of Good Hope and recall the voyages of the sailors of a bygone era who first rounded this point.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at Buffels Bay before the 2 hour circular hike to Kanonkop, a great viewpoint and site of an old signal canon. Chances are you will see no one as you admire the panorama across False Bay, to Cape Point and all of the reserve to the Atlantic Ocean.

Spot a variety of birds and also bontebok, eland and zebra and even an ostrich or two. On leaving the reserve stop off at Boulders Beach to view the African Penguins before returning to your hotel in the city.

The Twelve
Apostles Walk (Back Table): 4 to 5 hours

A magnificent walk up Table Mountain to the top of the 12 Apostles including time spent exploring the amazing
Tranquility Cracks.

Silvermine Nature
Reserve north: 4 hours

A great walk along the Silvermine River and to Noordhoek Peak –
great views all round and lots of fynbos to
admire.

Silvermine Nature
Reserve south: 3 or 4 hours

A circular walk to visit the
famous ‘Amphitheatre’ and St James Peak.

Great
views over False Bay and lots of rock formations to admire.

Lions Head: 4 hours

Tackle this exciting and spectacular route to get panoramic views of the city of Cape Town, the Atlantic seaboard and Table Mountain. Some scrambling along a couple of ladders to be tackled and some exposure to height, but worth it all when you reach the summit.